Surfboard with Removable Wheels

ABSTRACT

A wheeled system for engagement with a surfboard is provided. Wheeled trucks are configured for removable engagement with a lower surface of a surfboard using mounting plates or recessed connections. The removable engagement of the trucks allow a rider to ride on support surfaces such as the sidewalk, and to remove the trucks to employ the surfboard in the water. The removable trucks may be retrofitted to existing surfboards with an elastic or mechanical engagement, or may be provided in combination with a surfboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This application is a Continuation in Part and claims priority to toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/913,347, filed on Jun. 7, 2013.

The present invention relates to surfboards. More particularly theinvention relates to a surfboard having removably engageable wheelswhich enable the surfboard to function both as a skateboard with thewheels engaged and a surfboard when the wheels are disengaged.

2. Prior Art

The art of surfing waves is an exceptionally fast growing sport andhobby for individuals who live near the beach. Modern surfboards areconventionally hand shaped out of polyurethane foam cores and covered inone or more layers of fibreglass cloth and polyester resin. Othermethods and materials of surfboard construction include employingexpanded polystyrene (EPS) foam cores or extruded polystyrene closedcell cores, and epoxy resins. Modern technology allows many epoxy boardsto be either hand shaped or molded to any desired dimension. Othermanufacturing methods are also known.

For all board types, the surfboard is completed by the addition of oneor a plurality of fins, which is conventionally engaged at the tail endof the board on the bottom surface. The fin acts as a type of rudder andallows the rider to maneuver the board over the surface of the waterwhile providing stability and control. It is known that different finshapes and configurations will provide a user with a different ride. Asa result, many modern surfboards employ removably engageable fins whichallows the user to interchange the fin as needed for a particular waveor riding style.

Conventional removable engagement of fins is accomplished by employmentof a fin mount, also referred to as a fin box or plug, engaged withinthe surface of the board and employs means for securement of the fin,such as a set screw or the like. An example of commonly known removablefin system is FCS (Fin Control System). This system employs finsecurement plugs which are permanently engaged to the surfboard duringthe application of fiberglass and resin. The fins include projectingmembers which are configured to engage within the plugs, and set screwsare employed to secure them therein. This system is widely considered asthe most convenient and easy to use system available in the markettoday. Other removable engagement systems known in the art includeFUTURE FINS, RAINBOW FIN COMPANY, and others.

Skateboarding is another well known sport which is similar to surfing inthat the rider is propelled over a surface atop a board. Skateboardscomprise wooden boards, also referred to as decks, with wheel assembliescalled trucks, engaged to the bottom of the deck for attaching thewheels and deck. The trucks are conventionally composed of two parts; atop part which is screwed to the deck and is called the baseplate; andthe hanger engaged beneath the baseplate. The axle runs through thehanger and engages the wheels. Rubber bushings are engaged between thebaseplate and the hanger which provide the cushion mechanism for turningthe skateboard. Skateboard trucks are often manufactured in a number ofdifferent axle widths.

Skateboarding evolved after surfing and was often a downtime activityfor surfers when the waves and conditions were less than desirable. As aresult, skateboarding has often been considered an attempt to mimic thefeel and flow of surfing on water. Prior art has shown many attempts atproviding skateboards that mimic the feel of riding on water. However,for many advanced, as well as novice, surfers, nothing compares to theactual feel of riding a surfboard on a wave. As such, the appeal ofskateboards which mimic surfing is considerably low.

However, many surfers continue to employ skateboards for both recreationas well as modes of transportation, especially to and from the beach.Skateboard riding is an environmentally friendly alternative to drivingand is therefore desired amongst the surfing community. However, thereexists many downfalls of employing skateboards as a means to get a userto the beach to surf.

As one could easily ascertain, the initial purchase and upkeep of both askateboard and surfboard can be quit expensive. Further, surfers willoften hide their skateboards when at the beach in order to reduce thechance of their skateboard being stolen while they are surfing, as askateboard left in plain sight is an easy target to thieves. It seemsthat many of these problems can be solved by combining the groundtransportation of a skateboard with the wave riding abilities of asurfboard.

As such, there is a continuing unmet need for a surfboard deviceemploying removably engaged wheels which would provide users with ameans for transportation to a surfing location as well as a functioningrideable surfboard, when the wheels are removed. Such a device shouldadvantageously be configurable with conventional removable engagementsystems known in the art.

Further, such a device should include reinforcement means, such as nose,tail, or rail guards, to protect the surfboard during the groundtransports so as the board can be maintained as a water tight,functioning surfboard when the wheels are removed.

The forgoing examples of related art and limitation related therewithare intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not implyany limitations on the invention described and claimed herein. Variouslimitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled inthe art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below andthe accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device herein disclosed and described provides a solution to theshortcomings in prior art and achieves the above noted goals through theprovision of surfboard device employing removably engageable wheels. Thedevice is comprised of a functioning surfboard component and removablyengageable wheel assembly. The removable wheel assembly is preferably ofa conventional skateboard truck configuration however comprising abaseplate portion which is configured for removable engagement tocomplimentary mounts disposed on a surfboard. The mounts are preferablyconventionally known fin mounts, such as plugs, boxes, or other suitablemeans known in the art.

In accordance with one preferred mode, the surfboard component isreinforced to accommodate the forces conventionally associated withturning and maneuvering a skateboard. There is also preferably includedremovably engageable protection means which can be employed to protectthe nose, tail, and rails of the surfboard component. The surfboardcomponent may be formed by any conventional surfboard manufacturingtechnique known in the art. The removably engageable protection will bepads or protection on the side rails, nose, and tail, which easilyremove and engage.

With respect to the above description, before explaining at least onepreferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and to the arrangement of the components inthe following description or illustrated in the drawings. The inventionherein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practicedand carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilledin the art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purpose of description andshould not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying outthe several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstruction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

As used in the claims to describe the various inventive aspects andembodiments, “comprising” means including, but not limited to, whateverfollows the word “comprising”. Thus, use of the term “comprising”indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but thatother elements are optional and may or may not be present. By“consisting of” is meant including, and limited to, whatever follows thephrase “consisting of”. Thus, the phrase “consisting of” indicates thatthe listed elements are required or mandatory, and that no otherelements may be present. By “consisting essentially of” is meantincluding any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to otherelements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity oraction specified in the disclosure for the listed elements. Thus, thephrase “consisting essentially of” indicates that the listed elementsare required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and mayor may not be present depending upon whether or not they affect theactivity or action of the listed elements.

It is an object of this invention, to provide an engagement system forwheel supports to a surfboard for land riding, which are removable whenemploying the board in the water, as a complete unit or retrofit kit.

Additional objects of the invention will be brought out in the followingpart of the specification, wherein detailed description is for thepurpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitationsthereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a partof the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive,examples of embodiments and/or features. It is intended that theembodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be consideredillustrative rather than limiting. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a preferred mode of the baseplate componentcomprising part of the removably engageable wheel assembly.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the baseplate component.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the baseplate component.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a preferred hanger component comprising partof the wheel assembly.

FIG. 5 shows an assembled view of the wheel assembly.

FIG. 6 shows the device with the preferred surfboard componentconfigured with mounting means, such as plugs, for removable engagementwith the wheel assembly.

FIG. 7 shows a view of the device with the wheel assembly engaged to thesurfboard component.

FIG. 8 shows the device having base plates which separate the board fromthe truck and angle the truck at an incline relative to the end of thesurfboard on which it engages.

FIG. 9 depicts a side view of the baseplate having elevational sectionsbetween the engagement surface and the truck engagement member.

FIG. 10 depicts a similar baseplate to that of FIG. 9 with an angledtruck engagement member configured for the opposite side of the board.

FIG. 11 depicts a mode of the device wherein straps having an elasticquality are employed to position the base plates in operative engagementin an as-used position similar to the as-used positions of FIGS. 7-8.

FIG. 12 depicts the baseplate for the board of FIG. 11 having a frictionenhancing pad and mounts for the distal end of straps of FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 shows the opposite mounting plate from FIG. 12 for the board ofFIG. 11, and depicts the elastic straps which, when stretched, impart anencircling biased engagement of the board to hold the base plates inplace.

FIG. 14 depicts a lower or bottom view of another mode of the deviceherein having recessed mounting positions for trucks which areengageable thereon.

FIG. 15 depicts the device as in FIG. 14, showing trucks removablyconnected to the mounting positions and showing wheels on the trucksadapted for rolling on a street or surface.

FIG. 16 shows an overhead view of the mode of the device of FIGS. 14 and17 with a portion of the upper surface removed to show the opposingmembers providing mounting positions for the trucks which havetranslatable hooks for engagement on the opposing members.

FIG. 17 shows a truck of the device 10 herein, having mounting membersextending from the truck which are moveable in directions toward andaway from each other, such as by a biasing spring or by a threadedmember which is knob rotated.

FIG. 18 shows the device as in FIGS. 11 and 16, showing the trucksoperatively engaged with the mounting positions, and the surfboardadapted for use as a rolling platform or skateboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down,downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right andother such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears inthe drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended tobe limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned inany particular orientation.

Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-18, wherein similar components areidentified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2,and FIG. 3 views of the preferred baseplate component 12 comprising partof the removable engageable wheel assembly 11.

The baseplate 12 can be formed from conventional materials such as metalor plastic, and includes conventional truck hanger 20 engagement means14, such as a bolt or ‘kingpin’. In another mode, conventional trucks 17may be engaged with bolts, or other means, to the lower surface of abaseplate 14, or the projecting kingpin 14, at a proper angle, as shownin FIGS. 9-10 and 12-13.

The engagement surface 16 of the baseplate 12, includes a plurality ofengagement members 18 projecting therefrom. The engagement members 18are preferably configured for engagement to conventional recessedmounting means such as fin plugs 36 (FIG. 6). Fin plug systems are wellknown and the device 10 herein will function well with removablyengageable projecting members 18 which are configured for removablecooperative engagement in a fin box or recessed mount, such as forinstance the system of U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,963, which is made parthereof.

However it is within the scope of the invention to employ other meansfor removable engagement of the baseplate 12 to a surfboard 24 such asstraps 37 shown herein, or other means as would occur to those skilledin the art and such are anticipated within the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show views of a hanger component 20 which isengageable to the baseplate 12 by conventional means (i.e. kingpin andnut, bushings, and additional hardware). In FIG. 5 is shown theassembled removably engageable wheel assembly 11. FIG. 6 shows a view ofthe preferred surfboard component 24 of the device 10. The surfboardcomponent 24 is comprised of a nose 26, tail 28, conventional finengagement plugs 30, and left and right side rails 32. The surfboardcomponent 24 is preferably configured to be functionally employable as asurfboard when the wheel assembly 11 is disengaged and conventional fins31 (FIG. 14) are engaged within fin plugs 30.

The surfboard 24 may be formed any suitable manufacturing method knownin the art. Further, as can be seen in the figure the bottom surface 34of the surfboard 24 include a plurality of additional plug components 36configured to removably engage the engagement members 18 of thebaseplate 12 of the wheel assembly 11. A current preferred material forthe board 24 if the device is sold in a complete component set would beepoxy, however other materials known may be employed so long as themeans for engagement of the base plates 16 providing the mounts for thewheels 22 is strong enough to maintain the base plates 16 in the as usedposition during riding.

Briefly, the plug components 36 may be plugs conventionally known in theart, such as those provided by FCS brand, which include cavitiesconfigured to receive and secure the engagement members 18 projectionfrom the baseplate 12. Securement is provided by set screws (not shown)or other securement means suitable for the intended purpose, such snaplocks or the like. The surfboard 24 may additionally include reinforcedportions 38, 40 disposed at or near the location of the engagement plugs36. Reinforcement can be provided by forming the board 24 withadditional layers of material, such as wood or fiberglass, and willallow the device 10 to withstand the forces associated with turning andmaneuvering the device 10 with the wheel assembly 11 in the engagedposition (FIG. 7). The device 10 may additionally include removablyengageable nose 26, tail 28, and side rail 32 protectors which willprovide additional protection to the specified areas. A rubber orpadding material may be employed between the bottom surface 34 andbaseplate 12 to further protect the board 24.

As shown in FIG. 8 the device 10 has two especially preferred componentswhich may be employed in all modes of the device 10. The base plate 16have a base member 21 positioned to mate with the bottom surface of theboard 24 and support it when the base plates 12 are in the as-usedposition as in FIGS. 7-8. However, experimentation has found that boards24 can come in sizes which have widths which can contact the groundduring hard turns of the board 24. Additionally, some riders tend toturn especially hard, such that even when riding narrower boards 24,they tend to scrape. Consequently, the base plates 12 formed with basemembers 21 having a pair of elevational members 23 extending between thebase member 21 and the truck engagement member 27 have proven to workwell to alleviate this problem. The elevational members 23 length whichprovides a rise “R” of anywhere from 2-8 inches from the bottom of thetruck to the bottom surface of the board 24. This elevational additionprovides a means to substantially prevent contact of the board 24 withthe ground during hard turns and the like, and from contacting thewheels 22.

Because the distancing of the wheels 22 from each other on the hangercomponent 20 providing the axle, is generally preferred larger than thatof a skateboard due to the larger size of the surfboard, the board cantend to be hard to turn. However it has been found that by angling thetruck engagement member 27 between the first and second elevationalmembers 23, that the board 24 with the device 10 in the as-usedposition, will turn easier. Thus an angle on the engagement member 27upward relative toward the end of the board 24 it is mounted isdesirable and angling the truck engagement member between 25-60 degreesis a preferred range. A 45-60 degree angle is especially preferred,however, the distance between the wheels 22 on their hanger 20 willeffect this calculation. By imparting this angle to the truck engagementmember 27 the king pin 14 will extend perpendicular thereto and thisprovides easier turning and more comfortable straight rides.

FIG. 9 depicts a side view of the baseplate 12 having elevationalmembers 23 supporting the truck engagement member 27 at an angle asnoted with the kingpin 14 extending therefrom. FIG. 10 as noted shows asimilar baseplate 12 configuration to that of FIG. 9 with an angledtruck engagement member 27 at a rising angle toward the opposite side ofthe board 24 from that of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 depicts a mode of the device 10 wherein straps 37 formed of anelastic material such as rubber rope, are employed to position the basemember 21 of the base plates 12 in operative engagement with the bottomof the board 24, in an as-used position, similar to the as-usedpositions of FIGS. 7-8. The straps 37 may be employed by themselves tohold the baseplates 12 in the as-used position, or in conjunction with ameans for maintaining the position of the baseplate 12 on the board 24such as the engagement members 18 with fit within the cooperativelyengaging recesses into the board 24 such as the engagement plugs 36,shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, a compressible member 41 such as aneoprene or rubber or polymeric pad, can be positioned between thebaseplate 12 and board 24 as shown in FIG. 13 and the straps 37 whichare engaged at a first end to the base plate 12 may be encircled aroundthe top and sides of the board 24 and fastened to the baseplate 12 usingcooperative fasteners 39 and 41 engaged to the strap 37 and thebaseplate 12.

The configurations for this biased encircle engagement by the strap 37may employ the base plates 16 of FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. As shown, thebaseplate 12 for the board 24 supporting the wheels 22 in a rollingengagement, have a friction enhancing compressible member 41 for asandwiched engagement between the baseplate 12 and the bottom of theboard 24. With friction enhancing surface such as suction cups or ridgeson the side of the compressible member 41 facing the board 24, slippagecan me minimized or eliminated when the elastic straps 37 are stretchedand thereby encircle and grip the sides and top of the board in acompressibly biased engagement. This biased engagement holds the straps37 against the top of the board 24 and the baseplate 12 firmly in placeagainst the bottom of the board 24 preferably with the compressiblemember 41 sandwiched therein. Of course as noted, projecting memberssuch as the engagement members 18 may also be employed to project intomating sockets in the board 24 and through the compressible member 41 ifpresent. This yields an especially sturdy mount and takes the pressureoff of the recesses in the board 24 and the engagement members 18 ifused alone.

In a minimal mode, for retrofitting boards 24, the device may beprovided with the two base plates 16 and means to engage such to a boardwhich in the simplest mode would be the elastic strap 37 engagement. Theangled truck engagement member 27 may be at the preferred angles noted,or may be perpendicular if desired by a user.

From this minimal mode, the device is preferably provided as a matchedset of assemblable components including a board 24 which is configuredwith appropriate recessed plugs 36 in positions to register inengagement with engagement members 18 projecting from the base plates12. The base plates 12 will be configured with an angle between 45 and60 degrees to properly position the kingpin 14 to project for theturning to match the turning radius to the rider and the board width andthe wheel 22 separation.

Means for a removable connection or removable engagement of the baseplates 12 to the as-used position on the board 24 may be the registeredplug 36 recesses positioned to removably attach to engagement members18. Or, the elastic straps 37 may be employed with or without theengagement members 18 and plugs 36. The elastic straps 37 may also beemployed to hold pads 51 against the side rails of the board 24. Thepads 51 may also be formed to engage in a compressed fit of the nose ortail within a pad 51 recess so that pads 51 may be engaged around theentire perimeter of the board 24 or in positions desired.

As noted, FIG. 14 depicts a lower or bottom view of another mode of thedevice 10 herein wherein trucks 17 having wheels 22 thereon, where thetrucks 17 are configured with a removable connection engageable with amounting position 72 on a bottom surface of a surfboard 24, with each ata respective mounting position 72 thereon. As shown, each mountingposition 72 on the surfboard 24 has recesses 60 which have a mountingmember 62 positioned therein. Each truck 17 can employ a respectiveremovable connection to engage to a mounting position 72, employing aconnection thereof to a connecting member 66 within the recess 60. Asshown herein, this removable connection is between each connectingmember 66 is provided by a notch 63 on each mounting member 62 which isadapted in diameter and shape, to engage with the connecting members 66which extend away from top surfaces 68 of the trucks 17.

Each of the trucks 17 has at least two and as shown three or moremounting members 62 where at least one mounting member 62 is in amovable engagement, such as sliding or rotating engagement with a truck17. So engaged to rotate or slide, at least one mounting member 62 oneach truck 17, is configured to move in opposing directions whereby thenotches 63 contact around the horizontally disposed mounting members 26which are disposed in the recesses 60.

As noted, on each truck 17, at there are at least two mounting members62 which are engaged to the truck 17. At least one of the two or moremounting members 62, is connected to the truck 17 so it will slide orrotate at a connecting point with the truck 17. In this fashion, adistal end 65 of at least one mounting member 62 can be biased toward ormoved in a direction away from the one or two other connecting members62 engaged to the opposite side of the truck 17.

In such a biased or forced movement of the distal end 65 of the moveablemounting member 62, the notch 63 of a first of the mounting members 62is biased or forced in a first direction, such as toward the nose 26 ofthe surfboard 24, whereby the notch 63 therein engages with a connectingmember 66 within a recess 60. Concurrently, on the same truck 17, oncethe notch 63 of the first of the mounting members 62 engages aconnecting member 66, a second one of the mounting members 62 which isalready engaged upon another connecting member 66 located toward thetail 28 of the surfboard 24 will be forced against it. Alternatively,the second of the mounting members 62 might also slide or move towardthe tail 28 whereby the notch 63 on this second mounting member 62engages with an opposing connecting member 66 on the opposite side ofthe truck 17.

It was found during experimentation, that two parallel mounting members62 fixed on one side of the truck 17 and at least one rotatable orslidable mounting member 62, which has a distal end 64 which will movethe opposite direction or away from the two parallel mounting members 62under force or bias, worked better and was more stable. Such would bepreferable, although one mounting member 62 having a distal end 65moving and one fixed, or one mounting member 62 having a distal end 65moving away from the other mounting member which was fixed on the truck17 worked reasonably well to hold the truck 17 in a removable engagementin a mounting position 71, on the bottom surface of the surfboard 24.

The biasing force or mechanical force imparting the movement of thedistal end of one or more mounting members 62, to locate opposingnotches 63 on opposing mounting members 62 in positions apart sufficientto engage and hold the notches 63 upon respective connecting members 66in a respective recess 60, can be imparted by springs forcing themtoward the nose 26 and tail 28 of the surfboard 24, or, as shown, byrotation of a knob 70 which rotates a threaded member 71 engaged therotationally engaged first mounting member 62, in a fashion where suchrotation will force the distal end 65 of that first mounting member 62in a first direction away from the location of the fixed pair ofmounting members 62 on to other side of the same truck 17. Once thedistal end 65 of the first or movably engaged mounting member 62 engagesa connecting member 66 with a respective notch 63, it will force thenotches 63 on the opposite mounting member 62 or members 62, into likeengagements on a second connecting member 66 on the opposite side of themounting position 72.

The removable engagement of the truck 17 to the surfboard 24 using thenoted biased or mechanically forced mounting members 62 in engagementswith respective connecting members 66, is shown in FIG. 15. As shown thetrucks 17 are held removably connected to the mounting positions in thisfashion. The wheels 22 on the trucks 17 are then situated to ride thesurfboard 24 on the street or another surface. Removal is accomplishedby moving the movable mounting members 62, to move their distal ends 65toward each other by compressing a spring holding them, or by rotatingthe knob 70 in the opposite direction which will concurrently move thedistal ends 65 of the mounting members 62 on a truck 17 closer togetherthereby disconnecting the notches 63 from the connecting members 66 inthe recesses 60.

Shown in FIG. 16 is an overhead view of the mode of the device of FIGS.14 and 17, with a portion of the upper surface of the surfboard 24removed for better viewing. As shown, the mounting members 62 on eachtruck 17, are spring biased or mechanically moved, whereby the notches63 on the opposing mounting members 62 have each engaged with aconnecting member 66 mounted in a recess 60 in the surfboard 24. Therecess can be reinforced with a metal or carbon fiber or fiberglassmember if desired to provide additional strength to the surfboard 24axially, and to provide a solid engagement of both ends of thehorizontally disposed connecting members 66.

FIG. 17 shows a truck 17 of the device 10 herein, showing the mountingmembers 62 extending from the truck 17. A first of the mounting members62 is rotationally engaged or could be slidably engaged, to the truck 17and has a distal end 65 which is moveable such that the distal end 65 onall of the mounting members 62 will move toward and away from each otherif all move, or toward and away from the other mounting member 62 ormembers which are fixed in position on the truck 17.

An actuator provides this movement such as rotation of a knob 70 engagedwith a threaded member 71 as shown. Rotating the knob 70 in a firstdirection will move the distal end 65 of the threadably engaged mountingmember 62, which is in a rotating connection on the truck 17, toward thedistal ends 65 of the two other mounting members 62, which are in fixedengagements with the truck 17. Rotating the knob 70 in a second oppositedirection will move the distal end 65 of the threadably engaged mountingmember 62, closer to the distal ends 65 of the opposing mounting members62, which as noted are in fixed engagements to the truck 17.

Shown in FIG. 18 is the device as in FIG. 15, showing the trucks 17removable engaged in mounting positions 72 on the surfboard 24 by theengagement of opposing mounting members 62 with the connecting members66 in recesses 60 operatively positioned to hold the trucks 17 in themounting position 72 once so engaged.

This invention has other applications, potentially, and one skilled inthe art could discover these. The explication of the features of thisinvention does not limit the claims of this application; otherapplications developed by those skilled in the art will be included inthis invention.

It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device isshown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of thedevice may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming theinvention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate thedescriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meantto portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope andintent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in anymanner.

While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of theinvention have been shown and described herein, with reference toparticular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, variouschanges and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure andit will be apparent that in some instances, some features of theinvention may be employed without a corresponding use of other featureswithout departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. Itshould also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, andvariations may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all suchmodifications and variations and substitutions are included within thescope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wheeled apparatus for a surfboard, comprising:a pair of trucks, each of said pair of trucks having a top surface andeach having a wheel operatively connected thereto; and a connector oneach of said pair of trucks, each respective said connector removablyengaging a respective truck to said lower surface of said surfboard at arespective mounting position thereon.
 2. The wheeled apparatus for asurfboard of claim 1, wherein said connector on each of said pair oftrucks comprises: a first mounting member having a first end in amovable engagement with said truck, and having a distal end; a secondmounting member having a first end engaged with said truck and having adistal end; an actuator engaged between said first mounting member andsaid truck, said actuator operable to move said distal end of said firstmounting member in a direction away from said distal end of said secondmounting member; and movement of said distal end of said first mountingmember in said direction away from said distal end of said secondmounting member forming a biased engagement of said first mountingmember and said second mounting member with connectors on said lowersurface of said surfboard.
 3. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard ofclaim 2, wherein said biased engagement of said first mounting memberand second mounting member with connectors on said lower surface of saidsurfboard comprises: a first notch adjacent said distal end of saidfirst mounting member engaging over a first connecting member positionedon said lower surface of said surfboard; and a second notch adjacentsaid distal end of said second mounting member engaging over a secondconnecting member positioned on said lower surface of said surfboard. 4.The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 3, wherein said firstconnecting member and said second connecting member are both locatedwithin a respective recess depending into said lower surface of saidsurfboard.
 5. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 2 whereinsaid moveable engagement of said first end of said first mounting memberis a rotational engagement upon said truck.
 6. The wheeled apparatus fora surfboard of claim 3 wherein said moveable engagement of said firstend of said first mounting member is a rotational engagement upon saidtruck.
 7. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 4 wherein saidmoveable engagement of said first end of said first mounting member is arotational engagement upon said truck.
 8. The wheeled apparatus for asurfboard of claim 1 wherein said connector removably engaging eachrespective truck to said lower surface of said surfboard at a saidrespective mounting position thereon comprises: a pair of elasticstraps, each engaged at a respective first end, to a respective one ofsaid trucks; and a second end of each said elastic straps, having afirst fastener thereon, said first fastener cooperatively engageablewith a respective mating fastener connected to said respective truck towhich said first end is engaged.
 9. The wheeled apparatus of claim 8,additionally comprising: projections extending from an engagement withsaid top surface of each respective said truck, said projectionspositioned to align in a registered engagement with mating recessescommunicating into said lower surface of said surfboard.
 10. The wheeledapparatus for a surfboard of claim 2 additionally comprising: asurfboard, said surfboard having a fin plug depending into said lowersurface thereof; and said fin plug adapted for engagement of a surfboardfin therein.
 11. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 3additionally comprising: a surfboard, said surfboard having a fin plugdepending into said lower surface thereof; and said fin plug adapted forengagement of a surfboard fin therein.
 12. The wheeled apparatus for asurfboard of claim 4 additionally comprising: a surfboard, saidsurfboard having a fin plug depending into said lower surface thereof;and said fin plug adapted for engagement of a surfboard fin therein. 13.The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 5 additionallycomprising: a surfboard, said surfboard having a fin plug depending intosaid lower surface thereof; and said fin plug adapted for engagement ofa surfboard fin therein.
 14. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard ofclaim 6 additionally comprising: a surfboard, said surfboard having afin plug depending into said lower surface thereof; and said fin plugadapted for engagement of a surfboard fin therein.
 15. The wheeledapparatus for a surfboard of claim 7 additionally comprising: asurfboard, said surfboard having a fin plug depending into said lowersurface thereof; and said fin plug adapted for engagement of a surfboardfin therein.
 16. The wheeled apparatus for a surfboard of claim 8additionally comprising: a surfboard, said surfboard having a fin plugdepending into said lower surface thereof; and said fin plug adapted forengagement of a surfboard fin therein.
 17. The wheeled apparatus for asurfboard of claim 9 additionally comprising: a surfboard, saidsurfboard having a fin plug depending into said lower surface thereof;and said fin plug adapted for engagement of a surfboard fin therein.